A restaurant in Chelmsford is banning mobile phones on Friday's to "get people talking again."

Grand Central have launched 'Phone Free Fridays' encouraging people to put away their phones over dinner.

The American restaurant and bar located on Victoria Road near Chelmsford train station will give diners an envelope to put their phone into.

Whoever successfully stays off their phone for the whole of the evening could get 15 per cent off their bill.

General manager, Chelsea Day, said: "Our director was sitting upstairs in the restaurant eating dinner with his family when he looked down and saw the majority of people, mainly couples, on their phones.